Two days later, Sokov's troops of the 1st and 6th Guards Divisions stationed in Sedelce handed over their defenses to the approaching friendly forces and then moved north.
The order they received was to go to the fortification area to accept Ponejelin's command, and together with the two infantry divisions that had arrived earlier, relieve the 4th Guards Cavalry Corps.
After Sidorin gave the order to the two Guards Divisions, he smiled bitterly and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, the situation is much worse than we imagined. The two Guards Divisions are in Praga and Sedelce
During the period, the offensive launched against the enemy did not make much progress. The troops who came to the fortification area to relieve the siege in the early stage also failed to rescue the cavalry army from the siege."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, the recent poor performance of our troops is due to many reasons." The attacks in both directions did not go smoothly, which made Sokov lose face. Naturally, he had to find some reasons to defend himself: "
First, after a long period of fighting in Bagration, the commanders and soldiers became exhausted; second, a large number of new soldiers were added in the later period, which led to the dilution of the combat effectiveness of the army."
The reason why Sokov was able to win repeatedly in the past was entirely because he was familiar with the history of those periods, so he could formulate some targeted combat plans and achieve unexpected results. But regarding the period from the Soviet army's entry into Poland to the liberation of Warsaw
His history is rarely recorded in books, so that he has no battle examples to refer to. How could he command his troops to win the battle?
But Sidorin did not know Sokov's true inner thoughts, and instead echoed: "Comrade Commander, you are right. In fact, in addition to the two points you mentioned, I would like to add one more point."
"You want to add something else?" Sokov asked in surprise: "Which point do you want to add?"
"Actually, there is another key reason for the recent poor performance, which is that the troops are too dispersed." Sidorin pointed to the map and said to Sokov: "Commander, look at it. Whether it is Praga and Plaga in the west,
In the offensive battle between Sedelce and the relief battle in the fortified area, we are facing elite German troops with strong military strength. It is understandable that we have been unable to gain tension for a long time."
After listening to Sidorin's analysis, Sokov thought about it carefully and found it very reasonable. Spreading the forces of four divisions in two different areas is indeed a taboo for military strategists. If you really want to fight back,
In order for the German offensive to achieve ideal results, it must concentrate its superior forces.
"Comrade Chief of Staff, you are right." Sokov nodded and said: "Our troops are dispersed, causing the battle that could have been won with superior strength to become a war of attrition with considerable strength. This is indeed my fault.
.Fortunately, the 1st and 6th Guards Divisions have now been transferred to the fortification area. I believe that with their participation, the trapped cavalry army will be rescued soon."
"By the way, I haven't had time to inform Comrade Deputy Commander about the transfer of the two Guards Divisions." Sidorin slapped his forehead with his hand and said angrily: "If there is a misunderstanding, one of our own
If you fight with your own people, that would be a tragedy."
Seeing Sidorin about to call Ponedelin, Sokov raised his hand to stop him: "Chief of Staff, I should make this call."
Soon, Sokov got through to Ponejelin's temporary headquarters. Hearing Ponejelin's voice coming from the receiver, he asked with a smile: "Comrade Deputy Commander, how is the situation there?
How are you doing?"
"What else can we do?" Ponejelin said with a wry smile: "The Germans have increased their troops again. Now we can only temporarily switch from offense to defense. After consuming part of the enemy's effective strength, we can restart the offensive."
"Comrade Deputy Commander, I called you today just to tell you that the 1st and 6th Guards Divisions, which were originally conducting offensive operations in the Praga and Sedelce areas, have withdrawn from the battle and are heading towards
The area you are in has set off. With their participation, I think your chances of completing your superiors' instructions will be greatly improved."
"What, the 1st and 6th Guards Divisions have withdrawn from the battle?" Ponejelin asked in surprise: "Comrade Commander, why is this? Why do they withdraw from the battle?"
"That's it, Comrade Deputy Commander." In order to avoid Ponedelin's random thoughts, Sokov explained to him: "The superiors have sent troops to take over our offensive in the direction of Praga and Sedelce, and ordered our group army to
The whole group is moving north, preparing to carry out new combat missions in new areas. Considering that you have not yet opened up the situation, I will transfer the two Guards Divisions to you first, hoping to help you change the current unfavorable situation."
"Great, this is really great." After Ponejelin figured out the reason why the two Guards Divisions withdrew from the original defense area, he said excitedly: "With the addition of these two elites, I will be more confident.
I have completed the final task assigned to me by my superiors."
"Comrade Deputy Commander," Sokov said into the microphone: "I hope you can use the four divisions together, so that no matter how strong the German army is in the fortified area, they will face our four infantry divisions.
They will also be at a disadvantage in terms of military strength."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." After learning that the number of troops he could use had doubled, Ponjerin suddenly became confident. He expressed his stance to Sokov: "It will take two days at most.
, I can completely break the German siege and rescue the cavalry army in the fortified area."
At two o'clock in the afternoon, the troops of the two Guards Divisions arrived near the fortification area, and then the two division commanders went to the temporary headquarters to report to Ponejelin.
Seeing the arrival of the two division commanders, Ponejelin seemed very happy. He stretched out his hand to shake hands with the two of them one by one, and said with a smile: "Comrade division commanders, your arrival has enabled us to compare with the enemy's strength here.
It became roughly equal.”
After hearing this, Tolstikov was a little surprised: "Why, Comrade Deputy Commander, are you not making good progress here?"
"Yes, Comrade General." In response to Tolstikov's question, Ponedelin nodded and answered truthfully: "At the beginning, our final operation progressed relatively smoothly. But as the Germans
With the continuous increase of troops, our troops are gradually at a disadvantage compared with the enemy. Now let alone attacking, it is good to be able to block the enemy's attack. But fortunately, you are here, so our strength has been greatly improved.
I believe that as long as we readjust our deployment, we will have a chance to defeat the enemy and rescue the cavalry army from the fortified area."
At this moment, a staff officer came in from outside and reported to Ponejelin: "Comrade Deputy Commander, there is a messenger from the 65th Group Army outside, saying that he has been ordered to deliver a message to you."
Hearing that it was a messenger from the 65th Group Army, Ponedelin couldn't help but show a look of astonishment on his face. He didn't know why Batov sent people to find him. However, he still said to the staff officer: "Staff Staff
Comrade, bring the messenger in."
Soon, the staff officer came in from outside with a second lieutenant. The second lieutenant came to Ponedelin, raised his hand in salute, identified himself, and then handed a letter to Ponedelin.
After reading the letter given to him by the other party, Ponejelin showed an expression of disbelief on his face: "What, your troops are moving towards the fortification area?"
"Yes, Comrade General." The messenger nodded and said: "Our commander asked me to tell you that our troops will arrive at the fortification area at noon tomorrow at the latest. We hope to fight side by side with you and defeat the siege and fortification.
enemies of the region."
Knowing that the troops of the 65th Group Army would arrive at noon tomorrow, everyone present showed an expression of relief. Everyone had been fighting hard for the past two days, and they were actually beaten by the Germans without even fighting back.
We have no strength at all. Now, first, the commander has sent two Guards divisions, and secondly, friendly troops will arrive at noon tomorrow. As a result, the Soviet army once again has an advantage in the strength of the fortification area.
Ponejelin said to the messenger: "Please go back and tell General Batov that we look forward to the moment when we can fight alongside you as soon as possible."
After the messenger left, Ponedelin felt that it was such a big matter that he needed to talk to Sokov and let him know what he was doing, so he took the initiative to dial the number of the army headquarters.
"Comrade Deputy Commander, do you have anything to do with me?" Sokov learned that Ponedelin had something urgent to do with him, and quickly took the microphone from Sidorin's hand: "Did something unexpected happen to you?
Something?" When he said this, Sokov's heart was full of anxiety. He was deeply afraid that something beyond his control would happen, which would lead to the entire situation developing in an unknown direction.
But Ponejelin's tone sounded very happy: "Comrade Commander, let me tell you good news."
Hearing that it was good news, Sokov felt a lot more at ease for a short time: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I wonder what the good news is?"
"General Batov just sent a messenger to me with a letter." Ponedelin said: "In the letter, he mentioned that the troops of the 65th Group Army will be able to reach the fortification area at noon tomorrow at the latest.
At that time, they will fight side by side with us and drive away the enemies besieging the fortified areas."
"Oh, the 65th Army is going to join the war?" Hearing the news, Sokov was very happy: "With the cooperation of friendly forces, your next battle will be much easier."
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Ponedelin agreed with Sokov's statement: "I was still hesitating this morning whether I need to ask you for help and send us more reinforcements. I didn't expect you to take the initiative to give us
We have sent two Guards Divisions, and now General Batov’s 65th Group Army is about to enter the fortification area. This will greatly increase the chance of completing the relief mission.”
"Comrade Deputy Commander, I have given you the task of relieving the cavalry army." Sokov said to Ponedelin: "I have given you most of the troops of the group army. How to use these troops?"
, it’s all up to you. However, since you want to conduct coordinated operations with friendly forces, I suggest that you discuss it with Batov in advance, so as not to wait for his troops to arrive and you will not be able to coordinate effectively due to a lack of tacit understanding.
Understand?"
"I understand, Comrade Commander." Sokov's words reminded Ponedelin that his and Batov's troops were not under each other's control. If the details of the joint operation were not agreed upon in advance, I am afraid that something would happen after the battle started.
The situation of each fighting independently. At that time, not only will it be impossible to effectively defeat the enemy, but on the contrary, chaos will occur due to the lack of communication between the troops: "I will try my best to contact General Batov and discuss with him a coordinated operation.
matters."
After ending the call with Ponedelin, Sokov said to Sidorin with a relaxed expression: "Chief of Staff, let me tell you some good news. Just now General Bartov sent someone to send a letter to the deputy commander, saying that his troops will be dispatched tomorrow.
Then we can enter the fortification area, and then the two sides can jointly attack the German army and rescue the cavalry army trapped in the fortification area."
"Comrade Commander, our rescue operation has been going on for a long time." Sidorin said to Sokov: "But we have not made the ideal progress. I think the main reason is because the cavalry army is unwilling to cooperate.
"
After hearing this, Sokov couldn't help being stunned, and then asked: "Chief of Staff, why do you say that?"
"The reason is very simple." Sidorin quickly rummaged through the maps on the table and found a map of the fortification area. He pulled it out and placed it on top. He pointed at the map and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander,
You see, if our army attacks the enemy from the periphery, and the cavalry army rushes out from the inside of the fortified area and forms a pincer attack with our troops, the siege may have been broken long ago. But our army has many times in the past few days
We launched an attack on the enemy, but they always stayed in the fortified area and stood still, forcing our army to fight alone. As a result, we were unable to achieve the desired results."
Sokov agreed very much with Sidorin's statement. He felt that the biggest shortcoming of the Soviet army was the lack of cooperation between them. They basically fought independently on the battlefield. If the enemy was not strong,
, the battle situation is not critical; but once the enemy on the battlefield becomes strong, the Soviet troops fighting them will often end up being beaten to pieces by the opponent.
"Comrade Chief of Staff, I think there may be other reasons why the cavalry army cannot hold out." Sokov guessed that there may be other reasons why the cavalry army has not left the fortified area. Thinking about himself and Sidorin
He had a good relationship with him, and he would not leak what he said casually, so he said confidently and boldly: "Maybe the superiors will ask them to seize the time to rest in the fortification area and prepare for them to send larger troops in the next phase of the battle.
usefulness."
"Even if the superiors plan to entrust them with more important tasks in the next stage, they cannot do so at the expense of our troops." Sidorin said with some annoyance: "After several days of fighting, our casualties have exceeded
Two thousand. If the fight continues, I don’t know how many people will be lost."
"Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, stop talking." Although more than 2,000 commanders and soldiers were injured or killed, Sokov was heartbroken, but considering that in the next battle, a well-organized cavalry army can play a greater role.
Sokov felt that no matter how heavy the casualties of his troops were, it was still worth it. After all, in order to achieve the final victory, certain sacrifices must be made. Since other people's troops can do it, how can his own troops not do it: "
I think our soldiers will understand that the price they pay today is to achieve greater victory tomorrow."
